Killybegs comes out strongly in support of Harbour Master
‘He ran a very good, efficient, orderly and co-operative harbour’

Patsy looks out over the fishing port. Photo by Jason McGarrigle

Members of the fishing industry in Killybegs were surprised by the suspension of the local harbour master by Department of Marine Officials last week. Captain Patrick Kelly, who held the post since 1996, was suspended on Tuesday 19th, following a visit to the Donegal port by three officials from the Department of the Marine. A spokesperson for the Marine stated that this suspension was totally unrelated to the allegations made by Killybegs fisherman, Pat Cannon.
Mr. Sean O’Donoghue, CEO of the Killybegs Fisherman’s Organisation told Donegal Times “while I am not privvy to details of the internal investigation, Patsy has our support. He was a tough harbour master but to get the work done he needed to be tough. I am not aware of the issues but hope when investigations are over he will not be leaving Killybegs”.
A number of the Killybegs fisheries companies have written to the department and ministers detailing the efficiency with which the harbour has been run since Patsy’s appointment eight years ago. One such letter from a fish processor and ship agent in the port – “For the first time we had, during Mr. Kelly’s tenure, an efficiently run harbour and this can be confirmed by those of us using the harbour, by national and international fishing boats, but most particularly the cargo ships from various parts of the world collecting cargo who were always complimentary to him. All would agree he was very competent, very fair to everyone in difficult situations (especially prior to new harbour coming on stream) and totally trustworthy”.
Other quotes from letters – “In our dealings with Mr. Kelly, we have always found him to be a most competent, honourable and honest person” - “We would like to put on record our full support for captain Kelly because he ran a very good, efficient, orderly and co-operative harbour. He was a capable and competent pilot who was able to take freezer-vessels to the pier in all weathers, not like some of his predecessors. I appreciate that you have to carry out your internal investigation but the plusses and minuses should be weighed up and not let logic take second place”
One of the major boat owners in Killybegs told the Times “We found Patsy Kelly to be one of the best Harbour masters that we have dealt with over all the years in Killybegs”.
A major fish processor said “I’ve had my share of rows with Patsy over the years, but he has done more for Killybegs harbour, than all the previous possessors of the job put together. There is one thing that I have not heard mentioned in all this. In my opinion Patsy Kelly deserves the eternal appreciation of everybody for saving the country millions during the saga of the Princess Eva. Nobody else would have performed as he did in that instance. To be lowered from a helicopter on to the deck of that ship in horrendous conditions and pilot it into McSwyne’s Bay was a feat of great courage and skill.
The Prestige, a ship similar to the Eva broke up off the coast of Spain last year, and the resultant contamination of hundreds of miles of the Iberian coast is still being dealt with. If the Eva had broken up out at sea the whole west coast would have been polluted for years to come.
When contacted Patsy did not wish to comment.

Married at Donegal Parish Church: Gemma Ramsey, St Joseph’s Avenue and Michael Cullinan, Castlerea, Co. Roscommon. Photo: Conor Sinclair

Frosses Notes

Happy birthday to Roisin Ward (Frosses) who celebrated her birthday last week.
Congratulations to Liz and Colum Brennan on their wedding anniversary on Saturday. Family and friends from near and far came to the mass in Frosses and to the party later in the Milltown. Everyone had a great time - so here’s to the next 25!
The Frosses branch of the St. Vincent de Paul hosted the annual party in the Community Centre for people from Rowenfield, St. Joseph’s and O’Cleary Centre on Sunday week last. Music was provided by Eamonn Brogan and Collie McCrea, with a host of local talent helping out. Well done to everyone involved. It was very much appreciated.
The Frosses Mountaineering club held a music session in Tintown on Friday night to finish off its very successful season. The club wish to thank Tom and Pam Brogan for supplying the food and also to thank all the musicians. The planning has already started for next year’s outings. The club has raised €200 for Donegal Cancer Group project.
Congratulations to Karen and Kevin (up in Mullingar) on the birth of their baby. I’m sure that Cathal and Eileen Dunleavy, grandfather and grandmother, had a big welcome for their new arrival.
Mrs. Meehan’s Mission Sale takes place in the Community Centre on the 31st of October at 3pm. Please support this worthy cause.

Laurence, Pat and Chris McMullin are seeking planning permission for the construction of 17 detached two-storey houses at Ardeskin and Rathforker, Donegal Town, designed by McMullin Associates.

Charlie Gallagher receiving a prize plaque and cheque from Celine Flood, AIB. Charlie was the county champion in the ‘Wordy Worm’ writing competition for 6 - 9 year olds. Charlie wrote a story ‘The Ugly Duckling’ in the AIB sponsored competition to win the top prize. Charlie is pictured with his teacher Ms Siobhan McGroary, his father Brian and AIB staff Gail McGoldrick, and Mairead McNulty. Photo by Jason McGarrigle

More apartments

Sean and Liam McCann have applied for permission to construct 26 two bedroom apartments in two story blocks at Ardeskin Townland, Donegal Town.

Sub incident

The alert was raised shortly after 3pm on Tuesday 5th October when several fires broke out on the submarine HMCS Chicoutimi, while it was on its delivery trip from Faslane in Scotland to Halifax in Nova Scotia, Canada. It had a crew of 57 on board and was off the coast of Donegal, 100 miles north-west of Aranmore Island. Irish fishing trawlers responding to requests for assistance found themselves subject to a four-mile exclusion zone set around the vessel. One of these was the Western Endeavour, skippered by John Bach. Mr Seamus Tully, owner of the 70m Killybegs vessel, said his boat had been fishing for horse-mackerel when assistance was sought and it steamed to the submarine.
The following day, Wednesday, the British Navy ship, HMS Montrose arrived on the scene and a Royal Navy Sea King helicopter stood by at Carrickfin Airport. The fires on the HMCS Chicoutimi had damaged key electrical cables, and nine of the crew had been injured. Three of these were airlifted to Sligo General Hospital where unfortunately one, Lieut Chris Saunders, was pronounced dead on arrival.
The disabled submarine was towed west of the Donegal coastline, before changing course for the journey back to Scotland, where it arrived three days later.
Seamus Tully, owner of the MFV Western Endeavour, Killybegs, told Donegal Times he had received a letter last Wednesday from the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources extending sincere thanks and appreciation for the assistance, co-operation and support of the Endeavour and crew during the recent search and rescue involving the Chicoutimi.
“The team effort of all involved brought about a successful outcome to this tragic situation. The dedication and skilful application to their tasking led by Skipper Mr John Bach greatly contributed to the overall success.” The letter stated.

John Bach - a personal recollection

‘On Tuesday we were the second boat on the scene, having responded to a ‘Pan-Pan’ dispatch. We were instructed to lay-off four miles from the stricken vessel, a distance that would take 20 minutes to cover should an evacuation be necessary - this was subsequently changed to two miles. Due to the high security operation in place, we found we could not communicate directly with the sub by VHF radio. We eventually made contact with Clyde coastguard in Scotland and looked for instruction. They enquired as to what medical facilities we had on board - to which we replied ‘Medical Class C’. Officers and crew of Western Endeavour felt totally in control at all times, because, among ourselves, we had devised an emergency plan should an immediate evacuation become necessary.
On Wednesday at noon, the HMS Montrose hove into view and took up position next to the crippled Chicoutimi. It dispatched a helicopter which airlifted off three crew, including the fatally injured lieutenant - that was the first time we were aware of serious injuries on board the submarine. We remained in position until Thursday when we were satisfied that any danger had passed. We then stood down’.

Magee Statement

The staff in Magee Clothing Ltd, Donegal, were advised by the Chairman, Lynn Temple, that the Clothing Company had made a substantial loss in 2003, partly due to increased intensity of price competition and other changes in the market place. The Company has been responding, which has resulted in major restructuring costs, and, quite separately, foreign exchange costs. The shareholders have maintained their belief in the future by continuing to invest in the Company.
The losses have been stopped for ‘04 with sales for the first half of ‘05 looking more promising. However, ever rising costs in Ireland and increasing competition from low-cost countries, make trading conditions difficult.

Bosco trustee speaks out

One of the two remaining trustees of the St John Bosco Club, Tom Conaghan, has spoken out after been contacted by concerned town people worried at the lack of development on the youth, sport and recreational front in town. They feel something must be done before it’s too late.
Forty years ago, Tom Conaghan and the late Michael Cooney set up the Bosco - the Club Rooms on Water Street the meeting place. There they held training sessions, record hops and the odd Halloween party. A very good voluntary committee was set up and, with some very talented athletes in the town and surrounding areas, training for competition was top priority. Transportation was a problem at the time but all parents chipped in and there was a great community spirit.
Tom remembers “We had over 150 members, each paying a small fee, and about 30 of a committee. They came from Laghey, Drimarone, Inver, Barnes and extended area of Donegal Town. It was all voluntary, with the odd sale of work for fundraising and, of course, the financial support of the business people.
“The Bosco decided to lease the old dump from the council and transformed it into a running track which proved to be a great success. When the Pavesi came on the market, the Bosco purchased it for around £50,000.
By this stage, Tom Conaghan had left the committee, having given it 20 years. “They did well to purchase this property - it was a great asset for the town and the community and, combined with the running track, meant there were activities to suit all ages. But now when I look around at the other centres that have sprung up such as Inver Community Centre, Bluestack Centre, Barnes, Leghowney, Laghey, all with state of the art facilities, I feel that the Bosco has not moved with the times, for whatever reason. All of these centres have received big grants and surely the Bosco must have been entitled to some of these.
“As a trustee I am very much in the dark. I know I haven’t attended any of the meetings but, to be truthful, I was not notified of them, until the last one and I couldn’t attend due to my daughter’s wedding. But the other trustee, Bert O’Neill, attended and briefed me. There was no discussion on developing the Centre.
“Since the articles appeared in your paper, a number of concerned parents and business people of the town have contacted me to ask what is going on and if there is anything I could do. As a founder member of the club, I feel we owe it to the town and area to give this the push it needs. The problem seems to lie with county council solicitors who are not dealing with the lease agreement. Now I ask, how long does it take to sort out a lease?
“I am not aware of any other problems but I do know that when the original lease was taken out some years ago, it didn’t take as long as this. But surely this is where our local council representatives should kick in. This lease is holding up three different projects at the moment – the opening of the well-equipped play area, the drawing down of the pre-school grant, and the development of the Centre itself. When Keeney Construction contacted me and showed me the proposed plans for the St. John Bosco, memories came rolling back and brought a tear to my eye. The other founder member, the late Michael Cooney, had great plans for the Bosco. I would go as far as to say he was a man before his time. And here in front of me was what this man dreamed off – he worked night and day for the club and now that we have a chance to fulfil his dream, we are going to throw it away.”
Town not progressing
Tom voiced his disillusionment at the pace the town is advancing.
“I feel Donegal Town has not gone anywhere over the past 50 years, other than some local business making an effort. I would go as far as to say that the town has gone backwards.”
Tom went on “My work took me all around the county for over 30 years and I saw other towns progress - and I am not talking about flowers or paint - but development. I realise that all the groups are voluntary but maybe one of the problems is that the Town Development, Community Chamber, and St John Bosco Club have a lot of the same people whereas, if we had different people, we would have different ideas.”
Tom told of how he was Mayor of Donegal Town some years ago and always got the support of the community. “I ran the Mayor’s Ball for a charity to a packed ballroom in the Abbey, with over 400 tickets sold. Last week, I heard the Mayor on radio and he could not get 150 tickets sold. What has gone wrong? What has changed? - one thing for certain there was no Celtic Tiger back then”.
In closing Tom expressed his embarrassment as one of the two trustees of the Bosco at the lack of advancement and called on the committee, along with himself and the other trustee Bert O’Neill, if willing, to meet with the council and both solicitors involved immediately to try and resolve the impasse. “We owe this to the inhabitants of the town and surrounding areas so that when people call to our door or meet us on the street and ask where we stand we don’t have to answer ‘with the solicitors’”.

Monte Carlo Rises From the Ashes

Development in Mountcharles continues relentlessly. Two landmark buildings, known locally as Murrays were demolished on Sat.16th. Oct. Just two weeks previously, Dorrians on Main St. was also demolished. This was adjacent to another landmark building ‘The Old Fox Bar’ which was levelled late last year. Word locally is that the digger already has its sights on another “there for a lifetime” building, also on Main St.
Between original applications, objections, revised applications and final approvals “subject to certain conditions”, no one is really too sure exactly how many new houses have been given the go ahead but it would be fair to say - quite a few - and all within the village boundary.

Ah So !
Meanwhile the Chinese with the un-Chinese name—“Jimmy’s House” is doing a thriving trade, while across the road the builders are busy in ‘The Nite Bite’. On the by-pass, finishing touches are being put to Brennans new Service Station which should open soon. “Definitely before Christmas” is the best we could get from the Don of the fledgling petro-empire! The new roof on the church probably won’t start until the Spring.

A New Dawn?
From being a thriving self-sufficient village up to the mid 60s to virtual commercial and social stagnation from then until the millennium, Mountcharles seems to be back in business, with sites selling for telephone numbers and the movers and shakers of the ‘development’ world setting their sights on the Killiney of Donegal Town!
The clever heads in the Health Board picked Mountcharles as their hub for the Now Doc service.
The proper name for the village Teamhnach a tSalainn has been officially reinstated, with agreement all round that whoever was responsible for coming up with the daft ‘Moin Searlas’ should be tried for bringing the Gaelic language and culture into disrepute! (Dublin papers please copy)
Now if Donegal Co Council would only allocate a few thousand euros for tidying up the Main St, planting a few trees, replacing the public lighting, getting rid of the myriad of wires criss-crossing the street, (New Delhi style) and, last but not least, giving the Pump the facelift it deserves, we’d have a grand wee village!